The change

Did you ever feel different? Did you feel hated or rejected by the rest of the world because of it? Say it had nothing to do with the kind of person you have become. What if it was because of something about you? Something that you did not choose to be. 

What if you do not want to change your unique abilities, even though they may help you stop an evil alien force from destroying humanity? 

Oops, sorry if I scared you. I tend to space out and introduce suspense too soon. I forgot to introduce myself… 

My name is Madelyn North, but everyone I know calls me Maddie. I was born in Seattle, Washington, the worst place for a teenage girl to fit in when she is different from everyone else. 

Everyone in my old school believed in stereotypes. Attractive girls joined the cheer-leading squad, instead of pouring over Sci-Fi literature if they did not want to be considered weird. 

I would never consider becoming a cheerleader. The big, tall guys became jocks and varsity stars while the smaller guys were bullied. 

Remember when I told you I was unlike other teenage girls? Relax; I am not a werewolf in case it reminded you of a late singer. Outside of being a social outsider, I am a telepathic half-alien. 

But most people call us hybrids (half-human and half-alien). 

That is right. Yes, I am part alien and part human. I have several cool abilities, which include flying, and I can project my own artificial life force energy that I can turn into animals made from an energy called betakinisis. Although, I am still working on controlling that one. 

Still with me? Good, it is not something you hear about every day. 

I did not know I had powers growing up. They kind of came in handy though.

The first time I discovered my abilities was during my sophomore spring fling trip at the beach. The whole class ditched school to blow off steam from all the crap we went through during our midterms. 

I had gone to the piers with my former bestie, Marcy, to check out the hot guys that were in college. 

“Maddie, hurry up and get dressed, already. At this rate, our kids will be in high school by the time you are ready,” Marcy said as she knocked on the changing booth, I was in.   

Marcy was always a good friend since elementary school. Our moms grew up together. Neither one of us knew our dads. My mom told me that my dad died a week after I was born. She never told me how he died or where he was from or even who he was. But the only thing she did hint at was that he was not like any other man out there.

When I heard about my mysterious father from my mother, my heart thumped in my chest. Should I try to find out about him? Where should I start? Would I uncover terrible things about my father? Is that why I am an outcast? 

But I could not think about that now. It was time to go to the pier. 

 “You know I hate rushing, Marcy,” I said. “Besides, this was your idea for me to wear this crap.” 

“Hurry up. You look presentable,” Marcy said. 

When I opened the door, I twirled to show my friend my dazzling figure wearing a new emerald, green bikini. 

Guys, please get your mind out of the gutter! 

“Damn, girl,” said Marcy. “You’ve been working out. Why aren’t you a cheerleader with a body like that? Plus, with your light brown complexion and that cute mole on your cheek, you’d be a perfect fit.”

Along the way, Chad Oscar, Marcy’s ex-boyfriend and head of the football team, approached us. He was a senior and grew up with us since we were ten. Chad Oscar always seemed friendly to me. I used to think he had a crush on me. But I guess I was always too shy to notice. 

“She’s right you know,” said Chad. “You could beat Marcy for cheerleading captain. “

“Careful Chad, just because I dumped you, doesn’t mean you can hit on my friend out of spite.” Marcy frowned. 

“Easy, Marcy, I didn’t mean to offend you. We can all be adults here, can’t we?” Chad said. “Besides, I’m not hitting on anyone.” 

“Whatever, douche bag! Come on, Maddie. Let us go find real men to hit on us.” Marcy pulled my wrist while I was somewhat speechless. 

“Bye, Chad.” I pulled my arm away from Marcy. 

He waved goodbye with a smirk. 

Marcy never explained why she and Chad broke up, which seemed odd because we did not keep secrets from each other. But every time I would bring it up, she would turn into the hot-tempered girl that was pulling me away from one of our oldest childhood friends. 

***

I pulled Marcy into the girl’s bathroom, hoping she would regain her composure. After a few minutes, she calmed down. 

“I’m sorry, Maddie,” she said while lowering her head. 

“Before you two started dating, we used to talk about anything. What happened?” 

“Maddie, the people you love the most can’t always be trusted. 

Not even if you want to tell them your biggest secret.” 

“I don’t know, Marcy. Maybe I should just…ahhhhhhhh!” Before I could finish my sentence, I felt an overpowering, agonizing surge of energy. I knelt on the bathroom floor, holding my head because it felt like it was splitting apart. My bones felt an agonizing power surge. Was I having a stroke? Was I dying? I did not know what was happening to me. 

“Maddie? What is wrong? Are you okay?” Marcy asked with a startled look as she knelt on the floor to comfort me. 

As Marcy knelt, trying to lift me, I heard unique voices swirling in my mind. 

“I don’t know. I hear voices in my head.” 

Eventually, I recognized the voices as those of my classmates. The puzzling thing was I heard private thoughts and feelings. 

She must be losing it, a voice said. It sounded like Marcy’s voice, but she had not said a word out loud. The voice continued; I hope she does not already know about the arrangement I made with…

“I’m not losing it,” I said, fighting through the unbearable pain tormenting my body.

“What are you talking about?” Marcy said in shock. “I think you should lie down somewhere. Can you stand up?” 

The pain gradually subsided. I took a deep breath, willing my pounding heart to slow down.

“I think so,” I said in confusion. I slowly tried to pick myself up with Marcy’s help. “I think I just need to see a doc—” 

I screamed. The overwhelming pain returned. The powerful sensation felt like an X-Ray tearing through my body. I had a nosebleed before losing consciousness. Was this the end? 

“Maddie!” Marcy screamed. “Wake up!” she cried. “Someone, please, call a doctor. Call an ambulance. My friends in pain. I think she is dying! Please help us!”